“Since 2002, the International CES has grown to be a global event. It’s also doubled in size in the number of exhibitors and the technologies that it showcases. In 2002, 12,000 attendees came from outside of the U.S. and now that number is over 40,000. We now do smaller events outside of the U.S. and showcase technologies that were never imaginable. While technology has enabled us to do much more, the value of face-to-face meetings, networking and discussions are just as important, so that is one thing that hasn’t changed.”

John HerrThen: Vice President & General Manager for Technology and Business, eBayNow: CEO, Adaptive Insights

“With nearly two decades of senior executive experience in the SaaS, Internet, and financial services sectors, I am now the CEO of Adaptive Insights, the worldwide leader in cloud-based business and financial analytics solutions for companies and nonprofits of all sizes. Adaptive was recently named one of the ‘Best Places to Work in the Bay Area’ by the San Francisco Business Times and Silicon Valley Business Journal, and it is truly fantastic to be part of a team that helps more than 2,000 customers in over 85 countries worldwide make strategic decisions that accelerate growth, improve performance, and drive success. We are excited to be ranked as the fastest-growing cloud business analytics and corporate performance management company on the Deloitte Fast 500 list, No. 1 in user experience, according to Nucleus Research, and No. 1 in satisfaction among all leading Corporate Performance Management providers, according to BPM Partners. Outside of work, I also enjoy traveling, golfing, and spending time with family and friends in my free time.“One thing that has not changed is the importance of fostering a truly great customer experience. Regardless of my role, maintaining a focus on customer needs and satisfaction has been my North Star; if the focus remains on customer satisfaction and need, then both the product and the team will continue to innovate and deliver the necessary components for a successful product and overall business. At Adaptive Insights, our unrelenting passion for delivering value to our customers has impacted the quality of our products, our approach to the Adaptive brand, and personal goal setting among the team. Even with today’s rapidly evolving cloud and technology industry, I believe one thing that will continue to remain consistently important is the good old saying: ‘The customer comes first.’”